Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-02-12
FORESTRY STATIONS.
An Interview With Hen. ". s. Til
ton, of ssa-keegey.
Topeka Capital, Jan. 30.

hon, w. y. IHtOu, GuIJOI vi TIC w d.
Keeney World. and representative from
Trego county, concerning house bill, No.
2lS. which he introduced, in relation to
the establishment of forestry stations In
the west half of Kansas, as follows:
Reporter-Mr Tilton, as you are the
party introducing house bill, No. 2lS, in
relation to the establishment OF forestry
experimental stations in the western half
of Kansas, would you please state your
reasons for such stations?
Mr.. Extraordinarily in order to dot
the plains of Kansas with timber
Reporter is the scope OF your
bill?
Mr. Tilton-It contemplates the loca-
ton of two forestry stations, One OF
these stations is to be within three miles
of the Union Pacific railroad (Kansas
divisian) and the other within three miles
of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
railroad: and both between the 99th and
1O1st parallels of longitude. At least 100
acres of land are to be leased, free of cost
to the state, for period of twenty years,
in case it is impossible to secure a dona-
ton OF the tracts.
The bill provides for the creation of a
state commissioner Of forestry, who shall
superintend the affairs of both OF these
stations. Seeds and cuttings Of different
varieties are to be purchased and planted.
The object in establishing these fores-
tries is the early creation at each OF them
OF an immense stock of seedlings and
timber.
This stock is to be issued upon proper
application to any resident OF Kansas
without further charge than to compel
him to satisfy the commissioner of
forestry that the same will be planted and
cultivated carefully.
The law of supply and demand govern
ing of course, the quantity Of any variety,
as well as the total quantity, to be issued
on any application. The bill contem-
plates that experiments shall be made
constantly at these forestries, with the
view of ascertaining the varieties OF
timber suited to the different localities
in the state.
This experimental feature will have in
view the ravages of insects as well as the
natural adaptabiEty of soils and other
modifying conditions.
The state commissioner OF forestry IS
bound to go into any county in the
state and hold one Or more meetings
therein, for the dissemination OF knowl- |
edge upon the subject Of forestry, when
requested by the petition Of twenty-five |
persons residing therein to do so; but this
shall be Of no expense to the state.
The commissioner is required to make |
an annual report to the governor, giving
detailed account Of his operations, and
also make such suggestions as may occur
to him. Said commissioner is to be
appointed by the governor, and must |
have practical knowledge Of growing |
timber, and be resident Of the state
within the parallels Of longitude hereto
fore mentioned.
Reporter-How much is this going to
cost the state?
Mr.. Tilton-The salary Of the commits
sioner is to be 500 per month. The
purchase of seeds plants and cuttings for
the two years and four months, ending |
June so, 1889, will amount to about S.
500.
The opening up and cultivation of,
say, eighty acres of land at each station
will cost for this period, about 81 800.
The forestry commissioner is allowed
travelling expenses to the amount Of $500
annually.
Reporter the state reap any ben
eft from this outlay?
Mr. Tilton-Yes; it will repay the state
for all taxes ten-fold-eyen an hundred
fold.
Reporter-How soon will this pay COM
mence?
Mr.. Tilton-In the second year after
the cultivation of the forestries has been
commenced. People can by this time
obtain seedlings in large quantities to
plant at their homes. As soon as this
taking of trees from these forestries has
fairly begun, intrinsic value viii be added
to every foot of land in the treeless por-
ton OF the state.
Reporter-Will trees grown at these
forestries be suited or adapted to the
different localities for which they may be
wanted?
Mr.. Tilton-Why, certainly! This is
distinctive feature of the forestry plan.
For instance, among the many dlscour-
agements to growing trees on the plans,
and the overtowering one is the poverty
of many people and their lack OF knowl-
edge in the premises, for whom trees and
seeds indigenous to that region are an
absolute necessity, This. OF course, the
commissioner of forestry would see to.
Rerorter-The nurserymen IN the east
part of the state, and out of the state,
deem the establishment of these forestry
stations unnecessary, and think it detri-
mental to their interest How about s
this?
Mr. Tilton-I fear the opposition of no I
man whose soul is so small as to let his !.
own personal affairs influence him against
"a measure of general public necessity.
The fact is, the effect of these forestries
would be to awaken an interest in the
planting OF nursery stock to keep pace
with the increased acreage of forest trees.
This, it seems to me, is a logical deduc-
fion. I happen to know that some OF I
the most enlightened nurserymen in Kan
sas are as anxious to see these forestries
established as I am. 6
Reporter any other trees be ex-
perimepted with, at these stations, be- [
sides those pertaining to forestry? t
Mr.. Tilton-Oh, presumably. In very